| Author | Message | ||
     Paroyboy |
Just wondering if anyone has had luck with sport bike saddlebags on a Bolt. I know the Oxford ones work with modified turn signals. Any other brands/styles? Been looking at Nelson Riggs "Sphere" bags. Available in blue/carbon for $80. Anyone have any experience with Nelson Riggs? Quality?  | ||
| Spiderman |
Buell has bags out for the 9R out now. The tank bag is pretty huge. | ||
| Dynarider |
  | ||
| Paroyboy |
Yeah but Buells saddlebags for the XB are a joke. I'm thinking about the Northeast ride this june and need to pack more than 2 t-shirts! | ||
| Roc |
I think you should look into a shoulder bag from Aerostich. Buy this in addition to whatever you find for saddlebags. Mine goes everywhere and it was the only thing big enough to carry the atlas I took on my last trip. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I think you should look into a shoulder bag from Aerostich. Excellent choice. I never leave home without it. The Courier Bag. Great safety addition as well, comes with the Scotchlite tape on it. Note strap accross chest below....  | ||
| Captainplanet |
I use a tour master expandable tank bag. It is attached via clip on straps which are attached to the air box cover bolts. | ||
| Captainplanet |
See my profile for a pick of the tank bag on the bike. | ||
| Blake |
If you plan on touring on the XB9R, there is only one answer to the luggage question...  Click on pic above for more information. I prefer black instead of the red.  If you ride solo, you can zip two of the packs together for up to 90 liters of easy to access, easy to remove storage. You get what you pay for; the Ventura system is well worth the price. Available at American Sport Bike (760-727-2333). | ||
| Court |
Mega cool.....I'd call that the cat's meow, call Tat at American Sport Bike (760-727-2333) and put a check mark next to that problem.... | ||
| Sparky |
Chase Harper Stealth bags get my vote. They fit perfect, don't interfere with turn signals and allow for 2-up riding. Don't snicker yet. I'm into sport-touring & just got my Venture sport rack from ASB. Going campin' in Death Valley this w/e, doncha know. Sparky 96S1, 98S3, XB9R | ||
| Joebuell |
Blake, what's the bike feel like with the ventura rack loaded up? I have some soft saddlebags left over from my sporty that I use on my X1 in conjunction with a Buell tail bag. I'd like to get a ventura system but for the life of me I cannot get over having ALL the weight positioned on the rear as opposed to having at least some of it in saddlebags. Is there much of a difference in weight distribution between the two setups? | ||
| Blake |
Joe, You can still use saddle bags too. In fact that is what I do on my '97 M2. The saddle bags are over the rear too. It is important to put the heavy stuff in the saddle bags and save the lighter more bulky stuff (sleepeing bag, thermarest mattress) for up high in the Ventura pack. It helps maintain good handling to keep the heavy stuff as low as possible. Too much weight up high and the bike starts to handle poorly. I've not used a tank bag on the Buell. Didn't want the hassle of having to remove it every fuel stop. With the XB9R's forward positioned filler cap, you might not need to remove a tank bag to refuel. I use the Buell M2 saddle bags. They are top quality. | ||
| Mbsween |
Joe, Blakes right-on. The ventura is hands down the best luggage setup short of your cage. The coolest part is you don't know its there most of the time. Here's a shot of the X1 loaded up before heading to Deal's Gap.I rode the Gap twice fully loaded, albeit at my slow speeds, no big deal  You can see more pics at Buell pics here | ||
| Captainplanet |
My tank bag definately interferes with the fuel filler. I do have to release the front clip and flip the bag back to refuel the bike. | ||
| Mikej |
Click my link if you want to see a loaded Buell M2.  I should note that one set of the saddle bags on the bike were empty and were simply being delivered to a friend who lives 300 miles away. The only problem I had with the Ventura rack were it's stated maximum weight of 25 pounds. Oh, and the fact that I didn't order the grab-rail when I ordered it for those times I don't want the rack sticking out the back. I'd also recommend ordering the second zip-on bag at the same time, makes for a neat/tidy package, which I still may order depending on what transpires over the next 6 months or so. The only safety concern I had with it is that when hanging the bag on the back it tends to cover up the tail light visilibility, which I solved by putting on an LED bar below the license plate. | ||
| Fasteddieb |
It's been a while, but I suspect we MAY have exceeded 25 lbs this cross-country trip. The u-bag was resting on a grid attached to a Ventura high rack.  BTW, we travelled across Montana at speeds approaching 120 mph in this configuration. I call it my Jed Clampbitt travelling mode! | ||
| Paroyboy |
Decided to go with the Oxford bags since Fasteddieb got them to work and they look good. I went with the "Humpback" series and ordered the tailpack first. If it's as big as it looks, I might not need the saddlebags. The local Honda dealer ordered it for me for around $99. Thats $20 less than the lowest price I found on the net and no shipping! Guess the web isnt always cheaper! He said the Humpback saddlebags are $140. Expecting it in 5-7 days.  | ||
| Geofg |
Nice looking bag. Give us an update when you've tried 'm out. -Geof | ||
| Paroyboy |
Picked up the bag yesterday. Really impressed with the quality of it. Put it on the bike just to get an idea what it will look like. Didnt get the straps figured out yet! Anyway, these pics are with the bag expanded. A full face helmet would definately fit in it. So far, I'd reccommend it. I'll probably order the Humpback saddlebags next week.   | ||
| Paroyboy |
oops...   | ||
| X1glider |
Paraboy: have an update on your new Oxford bags yet? I'm interested in the Humback series as well. I'd like to know your impressions on fit, form and function. What about waterproofness? Does it need raincovers and does Oxford provide them with the bags? Do they make them at all. I didn't see them on their website. I know I'll probably end up with Humpback tank bag and saddlebags, but am undecided on the tail bags: Humpback or Ventura? I kind of like the idea of the ventura rack to put my tent and bag on it. I'm also having trouble locating a dealer for the Oxfords. The major bike warehouses found in the mags don't seem to carry them. I could use some help finding out who does. | ||
| Paroyboy |
Don't have an update on them really since I havent tried it out yet. :-( All of the Oxford products I've seen come with rain covers. The bag is really well put together and the fabric is super heavy. I'm pretty sure I will have to put my passenger pegs back on to use the tail bag. There's nowhere else to hook the bungees to. Some week that I'm not working 7 days, maybe I can play with it and figure it out. Sorry I cant tell ya more |
